Connecticut western news., 1887-05-04
MY COUSIN BILL
BY DAISY MURDOCH.

see Cousin Bill Whcatly. Cousin Bill had stayed there and worked tho farm, and been all in all to grandmother and the rest, while I had grown to be fine gentleman in the city-vcry fine in my own estimation at least. And we were walking together along the green lane between 6ve-acre meadow and the or chard, when we heard scream.
 Gracious" cried Cousin Bill. ''That's her. I know her voice. She's got frightened by the COWS again. Hello! {! I'm here! Pm coming! Don't stir! Up on the fence. know," he added to mo in confidential tones, ''and right among the brambles."
 stWho on earth is afraid of COWS in this placea" asked.
 But Bill was gone. and in a few mo ments returned with pretty girl on his arm. The wind had blown her hair about, and the brambles had torn her muslin dress, but there was an air about her did not expect.
 Miss Mason, Cousin Henry, said Bill. ''Mr. Hunter, perhaps, ought to say but 1 hope you'll be Lilly to him and he Henry to you, after a while. He's a great favorite of mine, Lilly, and has got to be wonderful lawyer in London. Eh, old boy2'
 Miss Mason said few gay words to me, and we walked home together. She kept his arm, and they were evidently engaged, and felt as though there could be nothing more unsuitable. A city lodger of my aunts, supposed, for she was very elegant. However, found out after a while that she was only the schoolmistress. Her father had been one of those rich men who fail and leave their children pcnailcss. And shc had had every advantage. Now she bore her reverses with dignity and sweetness. Perhaps the fact that Cousin Bill had plenty of money had caused her to cn gage herself to him. I could think of no other reason except that she had not yet met me.
 To my taste she was the prettiest gir ever saw, and felt that Bill stood be- tween me and my happiness. Besides being beauty, she was accomplished, this girl. She sang, painted, danced. She woull have made suitable wife fol the eminent law hoped to be-for |, judge, if I came to that. She was throwr away on a plain farmer. And there upon I began to say to myself, 'If tried I migtt cut Bill out even yet. If do so much the bettcr."
 And, with this for my motive, stayed at the hospitable farm for weeks, ani Bill and his good mother never guessed what was at.
 At last I was obliged to go back t. the city. How far had succeeded witl Lilly Mason l did not know; but I wa resolved to put it to the test before went.
 And on the last evening-Bill havin. vanished somehow-I contrived to ge bis sweetheart 10 go with mo into tha very lane behind the orchard where h had introduced us, and there, in tn twilight, told her all felt.
 "I love you, Lilly" I said. '.Do 70 love nc p
 For answer, she burst into tears.
 My darling, why do you weepa" asked.
 She sobbed violently.
 'Don't ask me-" she said. sLeav me. Never speak to me again. al engaged to your cousin, to MT. Wheatly Did you not guess as much2'
 'If did," I answered, 1T did nc feel that that should prevent me frol speaking. It is most unsuitable matcl You are throwing yourself away. l ca plac, you in a position more suitable you. You could help me to fight m way upward. I believe you like m Can you say you do not p
 Lilly turned hcr Iace away.
 "Do not talk of liking" he sait sMy word is pledged-my promi given. If have forgotten it sometime I remember it now. William IS vel good to me. l will marry him. At lea l shall learn to love him. Go; forg me. I will forget you. I will do n f duty.
 What next I should have said Q not know. A voice fell between f from over the stone fence against whi l l lcant. On the other side stood n Q cousin Wheatly, tall and pale as ghos :, and the words he uttered were thes
 Duty It's anybody's duty not
 marry unless she loves. If you dol
 love me, Lilly Mason, I don't want yo If you do love Cousin Henry Hunte
 why marry him. I wouldn't stand your way for kingdom" His voice broke. He was sobbine. , 'It's blow," he said, .'but h right You would be throwing yours = ss 4ssszss